Life’s emergency situations require advance preparation and planning. The first step is organizing your financial information. Do you have an appropriate place for filing each document? Have you told anyone else where you keep your vital information? Have you shared your wishes in the event of your death? Are your documents available to “grab and go” in case of evacuation? Many situations require that you take action now to avoid financial problems later.
Financial Security for All Research
Family Economics Research
Family economics research focuses on how individuals and families obtain and use resources of money, time, human capital, material resources, and community services. The research also explores the relationship between individuals and families and the larger economy and studies the impact of public issues, policies, and programs on family economic well-being.
This area provides research summaries of current research in family economics (with links to the complete article, if available).
Research Summaries Currently Available by Topic:
Credit
…Saving for Children’s College Education
Yilmazer, T. (2008). Saving for children’s college education: an empirical analysis of the trade-off between the quality and quantity of children. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 29(2), 307-324.
Brief Description: This paper examines the effect of children’s college expenses on household savings. Using the actual amount of parents’ financial support, the model estimates the expected expenditures on children’s college education and investigates the effect of expected expenditures on parents’ savings. The results show that households save in advance …
Financial Planning Personality Type
Lown, J. M. (2007). Measuring Financial Planning Personality Type Based on the Stages of Change. Journal of Consumer Education, 24,28-39.
Brief description: The two-question Financial Planning Personality Type (FPPT) assessment provides a simple and practical tool to evaluate an individual’s financial planning type as well as their stage of change in Transtheoretical Model (TTM). The questions ask about a person’s financial attitudes and financial planning attitudes. It is easy to administer and score. Derived from the Retirement Personality Profiler …
When Your Income Drops
Losing a job or otherwise experiencing a loss of income is a challenge in the best of times. In the current economy, it is essential to MAP OUT a plan to get back on your feet again. The PowerPoint presentation, fact sheets, and activities below are designed to help you MAP OUT your plan.
Controlling Spending
When the family faces reduced income, take
immediate action to stop all excess spending.
Whether your situation is temporary or extended,
you need to get the most for your money.
Studies have found that many families do not
adjust their lifestyle for about six months after
their income is reduced. That six months of
ignoring the situation can bring disaster. When
you take charge of your financial situation
immediately, you are making a positive
contribution to your family’s well-being …
Stretching Your Food Dollar
Grocery shopping can be a real challenge,
especially if you are on a limited budget. However,
food is a flexible budget expense which can be
reduced when money is tight. By planning ahead
and managing your money wisely, you can still serve
meals which are appetizing, easily prepared, and
nutritious.

Food Shopping Starts at Home
Most of us can change our food spending habits in
ways that make each food dollar go further and still
improve nutrition. Before dashing …
Sizing Up Your Financial Situation

SIZING UP YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION
Sometimes unforeseen events in life challenge us. They may include unemployment, downsizing, a disability, natural disasters, divorce, or widowhood. Regardless of the reason, you need to take charge during these challenging times. When faced with reduced income or increased expenses, you need to develop a spending plan to help pay your bills. If your income …
Money Talks: Web Site for Teens
The Money Talks web site offers teens, and their teachers, a fun and interactive opportunity to learn about money management. Teens can play games, take quizzes, watch videos, read or download colorful teen guides, and more. The web site is available in English or Spanish.

The Money Talks series is broken into three modules:
- Should I Be Listening?
- Should I Be Banking?
- Should I Be Charging?
These cover ten financial topics, for example; money …